Dog Lovers stories, recipes, pictures, patterns, etc.

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The pic below is my dog playing in the snow yesterday. He loved it! Since he is a short-hair, I decided I better make him some sweaters..hence the update of free dog clothes patterns..Enjoy!

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This collar can be adjusted for all size dogs!

Holly Pet Collar

Materials:

Scraps of red and green yarn and appropriate sized needles. (I used merino wool cause the scraps were handy, but I would actually recommend indestructible acrylic).

Size:
Measure pets neck and subtract about 2". (If you don't have the pet handy you can find a chart of different breeds neck sizes in most pet stores).

Gauge:
Cast on 20 stitches and work 3 to 4 inches in the stitch of your choice. (I used seed stitch since I like it and it doesn't curl).

Collar:
Multiply the number of inches you need by your gauge and cast on this number of stitches. If you are using seed stitch cast on an uneven number of stitches and K1, P1 across for each row. When piece measures 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, (depends on size of breed) bind off.

Holly:

Leaves - Make 2 With Green cast on 16 sts.

Row 1: p7, inc in next 2 sts, p7 (18 sts)

Row 2: Knit

Row 3: K1, (yo, k2tog) 8 times, K1.

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: Purl

Row 6: K7, (k2 tog) twice, K7 (16 sts).

Bind off all stitches.

Fold leaf in half and whip stitch the cast on and bound off edges together, then fold in half lengthwise and whip stitch up the center. The picot edge (from Row 3) will be on the outside forming the pointed edges of the holly leaf.

Berries - Make 3 With Red cast on 12 sts. tightly.

Row 1: Purl

Row 2: Knit

Bind off stitches tightly.

With right side of stockinette stitch on the outside roll up this little strip as tightly as you can and fasten the loose edge in place. With tapestry needle and the attached tail weave in and out of the edge stitches at the top of the berry, pull this thread tightly, run the thread through the middle of the berry (don't pull this tightly) and repeat on the bottom of the berry.

Attach the two leaves in the center of the collar so that they form a wide V, then attach the berries in the center of the V.

I purchased a buckle of red plastic (the type that is pronged and one end fits into the other. they are often used on backpacks) but if you aren't afraid the pets hair will get caught you could use velcro. If you use velcro do not subtract the 2" at the beginning of pattern. When I sent these as a gift I inserted the ends of the collar into the buckle but did not sew them, this way the recipient (not the pet ) could sew them to fit.

Tips:
1. When seaming the leaves be sure and actually use a whip stitch, I tried other methods and none seemed to work out well.

2. When making leaves, leave a good size tail at the beginning. It took more yarn to sew up the leaves than expected,. 3. When making up berries be sure and leave a 4-5 inch tail at both the beginning and end of the knitting.

Cabled Dog Sweater
Fits a medium dog, approx. 14 + 1/2" around the chest and is 11" long.
7 + 1/2 ozs worsted weight yarn
Crochet hooks size H and J.
Gauge: J hook, 3 dc = 1"
2 dc rows = 1 + 1/4"
NOTE: Long treble front post ( tr fp ): yo 2 times, insert hook from right to left around back of dc 2 rows below, yo, pull up a long loop, complete as tr, skip next st on last row.
Double crochet dec ( dc dec ): dc in next 2 sts together.
Cross cable: ( cr cbl ): Skip 1 tr fp made 2 rows below, tr fp around next tr fp made 2 rows below, working behind last tr fp made on this row, dc in next 2 sts, working in front of last 3 sts made, tr fp around skipped tr fp made 2 rows below.
Top Panel:
Row 1: Starting at tail and with J hook, ch 60, dc in fourth ch from hook, dc in each ch across, turn. ( 58 dc ).
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, skip first 8 sts 2 Rows below, tr fp around next st, working behind last tr fp made on this row, dc in next 2 sts, working in front of last 3 sts made, skip 2 sts to the right from last tr fp worked 2 rows below, tr fp around next st, * dc in next 7 sts on this row, skip next 10 sts from previous tr fp worked 2 rows below, tr fp around next st, working behind last tr fp made on this row, dc in next 2 sts, working in front of last 3 sts made, skip 2 sts to the right from last tr fp working 2 rows below, tr fp around next st * rpt from * 3 more times, dc in last 5 sts, turn. Front of row 3 is right side of work.
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, cr cbl, ( dc in next 7 sts on this row, cr cbl ) 4 times, dc in last 5 sts, turn.
Rows 6-15: Rpt rows 4-5 alternately.
Row 16: For Left Side, ch 3, dc in next 26 sts leaving remaining 31 sts unworked, turn. ( 27 ).
Row 17: Ch 3, dc dec 2 times, dc in next 2 sts, cr cbl, dc in next 7 sts, cr cbl, dc in last 5 sts, turn. ( 25 ).
Row 18: Ch 3, dc in next 20 sts, dc dec 2 times, turn. ( 23 ).
Row 19: Ch 3, dc dec 2 times, dc in next st, working in front of last st made, tr fp around first tr fp made 2 rows below, dc in next 7 sts, cr cbl, dc in last 5 sts, turn. ( 21 ).
Row 20: Ch 3, dc in next 16 sts, dc dec 2 times, turn. ( 19 ).
Row 21: Ch 3, dc dec 2 times, dc in next 5 sts, cr cbl, dc in last 5 sts, turn. ( 17 ).
Row 22: Ch 3, dc in each st across. Fasten off.
Neck Opening: Row 16: Skip next 4 unworked sts on row 15; for Right Side, join with sl st in next st, ch 3, dc in each st across, turn. ( 27 ).
Row 17: ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, cr cbl, dc in next 7 sts, cr cbl, dc in next 3 sts, dc dec 2 times, turn. ( 25 ).
Row 18: ch 3, dc dec 2 times, dc in each st across, turn. ( 23 ).
Row 19: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, cr cbl, dc in next 7 sts, skip tr fp made 2 rows below, tr fp around next tr fp 2 rows below, working behind last st made, dc in next 2 sts, dc dec 2 times, turn. ( 21 ).
Row 20: Ch 3, dc dec 2 times, dc n each st across, turn. ( 19 ).
Row 21: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, cr cbl, dc in next 6 sts, dc dec 2 times, turn. ( 17 ).
Row 22: Ch 3, dc n each st across, turn. Fasten off.
Sew sts on Row 22 on Left and Right Sides together.
Bottom Panel: Row 1: With J hook, ch 14, dc in fourth ch from hook, dc in each ch across, turn. Front of row 1 is right side of work. ( 12 dc ).
Rows 2-22: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn. Fasten off.
With right sides facing, sew ends of rows 1-15 on Bottom Panel to ends of rows 1-15 on Top Panel.
Leg Opening: Skip ends of Rows 16-19 on Bottom Panel and ends or rows 16-22 on Top Panel and sew sts on row 22 of Bottom Panel to ends of rows 20-22 on Right and Left Side of Top Panel with seam at center.
Neck Band: Rnd 1: With H hook, working in ends of rows and in unworked sts on NEck opening, join with sl st in seam on Top Panel, ch 3, evenly space 34 dc around, join with sl st in top of ch 3. ( 35 dc ).
Rnd 2-5: Ch 3, ( dc bp around next st, dc fp around next st * rep from * around, join. Fasten off.
Leg Band: Rnd 1: With H hook, working in ends of rows on one Leg opening, join with sl st in seam at end of row 15. Ch 3, evenly space 26 dc around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. ( 27 ).
Rnd 2: Ch 3, ( dc fp around next st, dc bp around next st ) around, join. Fasten off.
Bottom Band: Rnd 1: With H hook, working on opposite side of starting ch on row 1 of Top and bottom Panels, join with ( sl st, ch 3 ) in any seam, dc in each ch around, join with sl st in top of ch 3. ( 71 dc ).
Rnds 2-4: Ch 3, ( dc fp around next st, dc bp around next st ) around, join. Fasten off.

The above pic had me thinking..store bought beds are expensive and don't last very long.....so I added these links that give step by step instructions on making your own (Sew)

Sew your own dog bed

Another dog bed instruction

Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 20 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. --- This is the original recipe, but I have found the cookies burn easily.
(Recipe came from Bullwrinkle.com) My dog LOVES these!
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Doggy Meatloaf

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef

3 stalks celery - chopped

2 carrots - grated

1 apple - cored and diced

2 eggs

2 slices white bread - torn into pieces

1 cup regular rolled oats

1 cup wheat germ

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

4 medium potatoes - cubed

3 carrots - chopped

1 stalk celery - cubed

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a large roasting pan with oil and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, 3 stalks of celery, grated carrots, apple, eggs, bread, oats, wheat germ and tomato paste using your hands. Divide the meat mixture into four equal parts and make loaf shapes. Place the loaves in the roasting pan. # Surround them with the potatoes, remaining carrots and remaining celery. Cover the pan with a lid. # Bake for 80 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the meat is cooked through. The internal temperature should be 175 degrees F (80 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Allow to cool.
# Portion the food into containers with one loaf and one quarter of the vegetables in each one. Refrigerate. To serve, give your dog 1/3 of a container with each portion of kibble.
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Home made Doggie Biscuits (My baby loves these!!)

From the Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo, Ca

1/2 cup cornmeal
6 tbsp Oil
2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup water or broth

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together well. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter. Bake 35-40 mins, let cool and store in tightly sealed container.
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Terrier Tuna, Egg & Cheese Supreme (Gets an A for simplicity)

Ingredients Calories
1 can flaked tuna in oil, undrained 339
2 eggs 148
1 c. whole meal breadcrumbs 480
1/4 c. grated cheese 75
TOTAL 1042

Instructions
1) Scramble eggs over low heat.
2) Add tuna in oil and breadcrumbs and stir together.
3) Melt cheese over mixture.
4) Serve cooled.
(This recipe came from Veterinarian, Andrew Jones, the Author of Dog Food Secrets, his book is packed with nutritional recipes)

You can help provide food and care for a rescued animal for free simply by clicking the Click To Give purple button daily. Sponsors pay for food and care.

If you shop online, be sure to check and see if it's available at The Animal Rescue Site Store first! Every purchase you makes funds food and care for rescued animals! When you shop at The Animal Rescue Site store, each item you buy also helps fund food for animals -- at no extra cost to you! The chart at the right shows bowls of food generated by shopping at The Animal Rescue Site store over the past six months.

Many companies are claiming to make indestructible dog toys. This is good, because dog toys are a very important dog accessory. Dog toys are becoming very popular online, you can purchase them anywhere in the world right from your computer.

Let's talk chew toys. Chew toys are a great playtime activity for your dog. They enjoy chewing, and we want them to have fun, we just don't want them to chew the wrong things (furniture, shoes). Balls are another great dog toy. Dogs love them and they provide plenty of exercise. Balls are the top selling dog toy on the internet. You can find many variations on the ball. Look around.

Their are many dog toys available online. There is a dog toy that can be unscrewed and can be loaded with treats like peanut butter or cheese bits. The opening is adjustable, if it is wide, the treats are easily accessible and if the opening is closed down, then the playtime can be made longer. The toys can easily be cleaned in a dishwasher.

There is a new toy that has the meat on bone texture. Dogs love em! The longer they chew it, the longer they want it. It is the ultimate chewing experience. Quite indestructible too. My dog has had his for three weeks now (quite a feat, it is the only toy he has not totally anihillated) and it is still his favorite toy.

Want to improve your dogs physical and mental fitness? Get him great dog toys. While he is alone, he will spend endless hours playing with it. Just be sure you select dog toys that are safe for him. His size and activity level plays a big factor in selecting dog toys. You don't want a little dog to have a little ball that can easily be chewed in half. It would be like a baby playing with a popped balloon.

What is my favorite of the dog toys? The ones made of hard rubber. Their very durable and take a beating. My dog loves em, their good for his teeth, and safe. Squeaky dog toys? Yuck! They can become annoying very quickly! (The Dogzilla toys are my fave! They take a licking and keep on ticking) At the very bottom of my page are some examples of great dog toys. I am not profiting off of advertising them, they are just an idea. Wal-Mart also has some great dog toys for a very low price. But make sure they are the hard rubber ones.
P.S. I bought Buzz a really cute duck that had a rope attached to it for tug of war fun. Within two days I woke up to a duck head in my hallway, stuffing all over my living room, and the rope was totally shredded.

I absolutely fell in love with this T-shirt..reasonably priced too!


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